It has occurred to me that the majority of Maltese may have become blind to ugliness and deaf to noise.

This must be the case if we continue to allow the destruction of all that is beautiful and calming in our small country: trees, birds, buildings which are a pleasure to look at, the countryside and of course our peace and quiet. 

Sliema, for instance, was once a beautiful place to live in. There were streets and streets of picturesque houses which are now fast disappearing and being replaced by mostly characterless apartments. 

As I write, there is a request to approve the construction of a multi-storey building at one of the narrowest parts of Howard Street. The flats here rely mainly on light coming in from a little space at the back which will be seriously compromised if the new building is approved.

I realise that this proposed construction pales to insignificance when compared to other buildings recently approved or being considered elsewhere in Malta and Gozo, but certainly no less “tragic” if allowed to proceed. Why do we continue to allow this destruction? It is all so terribly sad.